topic Re: Plot preview problems in AutoCAD Forum

Plot preview problems

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 11:22:57 GMT

Since version 2020, I have seen errors in the print preview, either on the HP T930 printer or on another Xerox WorkCentre 7845. The problem is curious, because whenever the print preview of any standard layout is done ( A0, A1, etc.), sometimes the drawing appears, sometimes not. And if you print on paper, sometimes the drawing comes out, sometimes just a part. This is becoming funny because if you print to * pdf or * dwf, there is no problem. I've tried solutions but nothing that solves. The printer drivers are up to date and the print settings have never been changed for my template. I think that this problem is already known by Autodesk but has not yet been solved, even in the version of AutoCAD 2022.

Re: Plot preview problems

pendean — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 12:52:57 GMT

>>>...because if you print to * pdf or * dwf, there is no problem...<<<
>>>... I've tried solutions but nothing that solves...<<<
What solutions did you try? We don't know you and can't see what you've tried.

How frequently does this happen? Did you identify a pattern? Is it a specific set of DWGs? Outside DWG files? What does "sometimes" mean to the rest of use? Do you mean "random"?
Are you working remotely?
Are you on a laptop?
You are connected to those devices how?
There is no fix for "sometimes" or "random" if a pattern cannot be identified. Dig deeper, higher an IT person if needed to help find a pattern.

Re: Plot preview problems

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:21:27 GMT

First of all, I have been IT and AutoCAD manager for over 20 years. I am not a simple user. Tested solutions: Reinstall printer drivers (either on print server and local). Reinstall AutoCAD (2020, 2021 and 2022). Recreate new pc3 and pmp files. Recreate our template. This problem occurs frequently in all * dwg files whenever it is necessary to print to paper. There is no pattern. "Sometimes" means that in the "print preview" phase, sometimes the visualization of the drawing appears, sometimes not. "Working remotely": No, it is local. And this does not happen only with me, but with all the company's employees. "Are you connected to those devices how?" Direct connection through the network infrastructure, but in the past it was connected to the "print server" (which I decided to remove since I initially thought the problem was due to the system).

Re: Plot preview problems

pendean — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:54:24 GMT

Like I wrote, no one here knows you so we assume nothing.

Skip PC3/PMP use, go straight to the system drivers, does that option work better?
We use the HPT930s here along with Sharp-brand MFPs and we are not seeing any of these issues on our WinServer network in AutoCAD 2019 through 2022 early testing.

Re: Plot preview problems

wispoxy — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:24:55 GMT

>...because if you print to * pdf or * dwf, there is no problem...

Please post two screenshots. One showing your plot settings before hitting preview. The other showing your preview of it being messed up. I would like to compare settings to preview. Thank you.

Re: Plot preview problems

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:41:26 GMT

Re: Plot preview problems

wispoxy — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:40:49 GMT

Is mm unit size intentional?

Re: Plot preview problems

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:47:09 GMT

Is mm unit size intentional?

Yes.

In this way the dimensions of the layouts correspond to the regulatory measures and the printing is always 1: 1. I just have to edit the ratio of the scales.

However, I have already experimented with Autodesk templates and the problem also happens.

Re: Plot preview problems

wispoxy — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:49:55 GMT

I can't get the driver to do that. Thanks for sharing though.

Re: Plot preview problems

pendean — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:55:40 GMT

And without your PC3 file?

Re: Plot preview problems

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:00:32 GMT

If I do not use the * pc3 file, the problem does not happen. But I need to customize the paper sizes and remove the margins. That's all I define in * pc3.

Re: Plot preview problems

pendean — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:19:50 GMT

There you go: now we have a repeatable pattern of failure, a cause-effect that can be verified, and reason for the failure of preview.

Now you need to drill down to find the actual trigger: test and retest making minor changes to the PC3 file, then add more, until you recreate the issue. Then double-check it. let us know what you find.

Re: Plot preview problems

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:34:46 GMT

I've tested it twice.

If I remove the margins in A4, A3 and A2 standard paper format, there is no problem.

But if I remove the margins from the A1 format, the problem arises immediately.

Re: Plot preview problems

pendean — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:53:02 GMT

Instead of 0.00 does 0.01 or 0.1 or 1.0 pass the PC3 file issue for A1 sheet sizes? we are talking about mm after all.

And where it the problem for PC3 files you your Xerox device?

Re: Plot preview problems

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:09:23 GMT

Solved:

The resolution is to set the value of 0.01 in the "Costum Paper Size - Printable Area" dialog box in order to remove the margins but not in their entirety. This solves, but it seems to me that Autodesk should check these settings, as 0.01 is not 0.

This also resolves on the Xerox printer.

Thank you.

Re: Plot preview problems

pendean — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 19:17:26 GMT

Autodesk Developers do not frequent the forums: if you want to report it, that is done over here https://www.autodesk.com/company/contact-us/product-feedback

Re: Plot preview problems

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 10:08:21 GMT

Thank you @pendean